ONE FRUSTRATING EXPERIENCE

There is one exercise in futility I have managed to avoid most of my life; it is frustrating and almost always ends in a feeling of failure for me. I'm talking about parallel parking.

The genius is a master at this. He pulls up even with the car in front of the empty space, begins backing and turning, and at just the right moment he shifts the steering wheel around and backs the car smoothly in.

On the other hand, I end up hitting the curb and having to rock forward and backward several times while impatient people waiting to go around me angrily honk their horns or at the least give me dirty looks. I'm exhausted when I get through, usually sweating and swearing, and I don't even want to get out of the car.

I cannot imagine how I was able to pass this part of my driver's test when I was sixteen. Then I had to use a car with a stick shift and no power steering!!

What made me think of this is that last week I had to go to two stores and I spotted a perfect place right halfway between where I wanted to go. The only problem was it was a parallel place, and to make matters worse, it was on the opposite side of the road from the way I was headed. Without bothering to think things through, I whipped across the road and headed in front first. That's always a mistake; I was doomed before I started. I must have gone up and back, up and back, sixteen times, trying to avoid hitting the Jaguar behind me and the Caddilac Escalade in front. Finally, I stopped when I thought I had done a reasonably good job and got out of the car. It was then I realized that I was about a yard and a half from the curb.

I quickly hurried into one of the stores before anyone connected me to the car.

BIG WEEKEND

The genius and I had such a great weekend that I've had a hard time putting it into words. But I can't go on postponing writing about it just because I'm at a loss as to how to describe such a fun time. The weekend was filled with activities that revolved around my classmates' seventieth birthday bash, and what a great time we had.

It started with Friday night at the club with the genius and me hosting the first night. We had drinks and appetizers from 5:00 to 7:00 to get the celebrating started. Because we had added the Friday night party as an afterthought, we didn't think many people would show up. But over sixty people came and saw and conquered -- the food, anyway. It was great seeing everyone.

Then on Saturday I had invited our new friends Larry and Betty along with another classmate, Gailya and her husband John to lunch. I call them new friends because although we were in the same high school class, we didn't really get to know them until after the 50th reunion two years ago. Now we correspond on a regular basis and have become fast friends. It was really pleasant and interesting to sit and talk with them without everyone else around. The genius and I have talked several times about how much we enjoyed that time.

Then it was on to Richland Club for another big night, the actual celebration. At this occasion over eighty people were gathered as we mingled, had a delicious dinner, and then sang "Happy Birthday" to each other. There was a huge cake that was not only attractive to look at but was really tasty as well. Finally, we all reluctantly said our good byes.

Later, I tried to remember how many came from out of town and where they were from. I recall the following places: Decatur, AL; Springfield, Houston, Indianapolis, several from Atlanta, St. Louis, Jacksonville, Tampa, and even San Fransisco. I appreciated everyone's efforts to get here and enjoyed seeing them all. These people have brought a new meaning to my life, especially Larry and Betty.

But -- I also enjoy getting together with the in-town folks and treasure my new-found relationship with them.

EATING OUT WITH BRENDA AND JIM IV

How I love living with the genius -- he really makes me laugh! Last night we were having dinner with Brenda and Jim IV (Laurie and the kids are out of town). We had a great time discussing all sorts of topics, one of which was movies.

Jim IV had brought over the Bourne series to watch and for three nights straight, we had watched them. Lots of mystery and action, and we were telling Brenda about it. She hadn't seen the movies, only read the books. We talked about how sometimes it got a little frantic with all the car chases, fighting, etc. Then the genius with a very straight face said, "I think all the noise and action really upset Rufus."

The three of us burst out laughing and he kept insisting, "No, I mean it, his personality changed; he just didn't act like himself."

Brenda gasped, "I can hardly wait to tell Ashley!"

We had barely recovered from that little episode when the genius announces, "I heard a song today, and I'm sure you all have heard it. But I never had, and it was the strangest song. I was riding the indoor bike at the rec center when it came on: 'Who Let the Dogs Out' must have been the title." We all started laughing all over again, and one of us started singing right there in the restaurant and the rest joined in, "Who let the dogs out, WHO... WHO-WHO."

He said, "YES, that's IT! What's the purpose of that song?" We all agreed it was a silly one.

I'm surprised the restaurant manager didn't come over and tell us to calm down, which has happened to us before (Remember, sisters?),

We had a great time, needless to say.

DAY AT HOME

My day at home yesterday didn't go as well as I would have liked. I did some things around the house, and some of them turned out well -- and some didn't.

I started out with the bright idea that I would try (again!) to get the spots out of the rug that my dear Rufus put in. I have tried so many different solutions that didn't work that I decided to get tough. So I mixed a strong concoction of carpet shampoo and bleach. I sprayed each spot with this and took a brush and scrubbed each area. Then I got out the shampooer and went over the whole area. This little exercise worked -- and it didn't work: I now have lighter brown spots with circles of white around them (whiter than the white carpet). Whether it looks better, I'll let everyone be his or her own judge. At least I know it is clean.

Then I decided to frame out the mirror in my bathroom. I had already painted the wood pieces to look like a wood frame and had gotten all the instructions and materials from Home Depot about how to glue it on, etc. So I started with one long side. It just didn't occur to me that I would have to paint the back side also, but the unfinished side shows in the mirror. So now I need to take it down and start over.

It would have been a lot easier to take the mirror down and get a new framed one, but I really like the size of this one, just not the way it looks around the edges.

One job that did go well was the cleaning out of the refrigerator, but how can you go wrong with that?

It's funny how things happen. I've been trying for months for a guy to stop by and work on my yard a little and yesterday I looked out the window and there he was, working away. This summer we had really let the yard go with all the traveling, etc. And when I did work on it, I killed the grass in spots, trying to fertilize it. So I was most appreciative that he showed up.

It still doesn't look great, by any means; I mean, the grass is still dead, but it's a good start. I would love it if he would come on a full time basis, but the genius would probably not like that at all. But it looks better than it did, and for that I'm grateful.

Today is a nice rainy day, fairly cool, and I have nothing specific on the agenda. No doctors' appointments, no shopping I have to do. I believe I'll use this opportunity to have some time to myself.

I've been reading a Maeve Binchey book, The Firefly Summer, for a while now, and it is really good. I thought I had read all of her books, which are set in Ireland, but I found this one. Like her others, it is long and involved and I'm really enjoying it.

We had a nice time eating with Brenda and her children last night at Ruby Tuesday's.

The problem I have now is that the only thing that makes me feel older than celebrating my birthday each year is for one of my children to have a birthday.

FUN TIMES

Well, I surely finked out last week on writing -- I suppose I was taking a vacation from everything. We had a really fun time, but I think all of us were glad to get back to normal again.

One of the highlights was that Mike, Tommy, Danny, and Kirstin went deep sea fishing and caught tons of red snapper which we promptly cooked that night and ate. It was yummmmmy!! That was a first for us and we really enjoyed it.

The genius and I were able to eat out at our favorite restaurants as well as enjoying Ashley's great cooking throughout the week.

At the beginning of the week (on Sunday night) I was in the dog house. I was sure that Papa Joe's restaurant was open and we drove the 28 miles there to eat without calling first. But guess what? It wasn't! And neither was anything else. We finally drove to a seafood market and brought a load of shrimp and grouper and took it home to cook. We had a late dinner that night but it was worth all the driving and wait.

I did take some pictures but they didn't turn out, so that was another reason I didn't get around to posting on the blog.

Big party plans this weekend: our classmates from high school are getting together to celebrate our 70th birthday. There will be two nights of partying and on Saturday some of them are coming to lunch at our house. I'm so excited!

And speaking of birthdays, today is Brenda's and we are celebrating with her tonight. The fun never ends !!

LIFE AT THE BEACH

We are having a wonderful time in Cape San Blas!! We arrived late Saturday afternoon following an uneventful trip in two cars. And our place is just right for us.

There's a bedroom and bath on the bottom floor right off the entry hall where Tom and Kirstin are staying. On the main floor are a huge living room, dining area and kitchen, all with a view of the beach, plus a half bath. And then upstairs are three bedrooms, two opening to a deck on the front, and 2 baths. We are right on the beach where we all spend a few hours a day usually at various times.

Rufus is loving all of it because he is getting so much attention. Yesterday I took him to the edge of the water where he played tag with the waves. Then I picked him up and took him out a few feet and let him swim some while I was holding on to him. He really seemed to like it. He loves walking on the beach until he sees another dog and then he's intimidated -- what a little chicken he is face to face -- but oh so fierce if he's behind a glass door.

Brenda and her friend Katie are staying down the road and they came by for a visit last night. We all gathered on the front porch and suddenly, a huge roach started across the floor right in the middle of us. The genius shot his foot out and crushed it and the sound was UNbelievable -- there was this indescribably LOUD pop as he squashed it, and we all went "Ewwwwwwwwwwww"!!!!

This morning Mike, Tom, and Danny went golfing and saw a baby aligator on the course.

I'll try to take some pictures today (not of the roach or gator) and post them tomorrow.

FAMILY'S HERE

Ashley and Danny have been here 2 days and the house has been rockin'. Wednesday night we all gathered here for dinner and then four of the grandkids stayed here to sleep over.

Yesterday we all gathered at Jim IV's club for a good tennis and swim time. Plus, we all had a delicious lunch. We were all back here for dinner again, then the boys spent the night at Jim IV's. Thereafter, things got very quiet and this morning Ashley and I have had fun hanging out.

This afternoon Mike, Tom, and KirstIn are arriving. We will eat Thai food for dinner and leave early tomorrow morning for our favorite vacation spot. We are all very excited.

I'll try to put some pictures online next week while we are there.

FAMILY'S COMIN'

Big day today!! Ashley and Danny arrive from Phoenix and on Friday Mike, Tom and Kirsten will get here. Then all of us, including Brenda and her two will take off for our favorite Florida spot, Cape San Blas.

So Thursday and Friday will be extremely busy having all of the family here trying to see "the Phoenix people." There will probably be lots of grandchildren sleeping over either here or at Jim's or Brenda's. I'll let them work that out, and try not to get too involved in the decisions made about that. I'll just be available with sheets, blankets and pillows in hand, if need be.

I've about got the inside of the house to my liking, just a few little items to finish until next year when hopefully, I will be able to think about new floors for the downstairs and get the stair railing built.

Then I'll concentrate on the outside. It's a real mess right now, especially since I killed a lot of the grass. I planted some grass in the spring and it was doing so nicely until I put weed and feed on it. Apparently, I used too much because we have big brown spots all over the yard. I even got some on the neighbors' yard when I made each turn with the spreader.

One of the ladies next door asked me, "What's up with these big brown spots all over the yard? Do you know anything about them?" I had to explain what had happened and apologize profusely. I'm sure they wonder what kind of neighbors they have who would not only kill my grass. but theirs too!

I'll wait until it's cooler and I have nothing else to do before I repair the damage. And they're ok with that.

Until then I'll sit back and enjoy the family!!

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Sometimes I get a little carried away when it comes to putting photos on the blog, so just bear with me. Yesterday an electrician installed some new lights for us and I thought I would share.




Kind of dark, but this is the fan/light installed in the master bedroom.





Track lighting over the kitchen sink





A shot with the light off in the dining area.





Dining room with the light on (notice the pattern on the ceiling)


We also got new ones in the bathroom and guest bedroom plus a closet light in the master. I'm very happy with the results.

LAST WEEK IS OVER, THANK GOODNESS!!

To say that last week was a rough one would be an understatement. What possessed me to make three doctors appointments in one week I don't know but I hope I have sense enough not to do that again.

On Monday I had my six months's check up where I was poked, stuck with needles, and donated four vials of blood to the cause. The reports from that visit were fine -- I'm doing well for a 69 year old.

On Tuesday I prepared for Wednesday, the endoscopy and colonscopy. Enough said about that. If you've ever been through that, you know what it's like.

Then on Wedneswday I went in for the tests -- waited two hours before I was actually rolled into the treatment room!! I was not too happy about that. Both tests were uneventful except for one thing: the endoscope scratched my throat and I'm still not over that part. It has caused me to have a tickly cough that has kept me awake nights. I'm not ever happy when I don't sleep well, as my family knows. Anyway, let's hope that passes soon.

Then on Thursday I went to the dermatologist to have a place on my chest frozen off. That's not so bad, but the place looks pretty nasty.

Oh well, I am being cheered up today because an electrician is coming today to install some light fixtures I bought over the weekend for the dining room, bathroom, kitchen, and 2 bedrooms. That should lift my spirits.

Nothing like spending a little money to improve my mood!!

SECRETS OF SUCCESS

So what has been the secret of the success of 49 years of marriage for the genius and me? I would say it is a combination of things.

First of all, we would both admit that our marriage has had many rocky places in it, some worse than others. But here we are still chugging along and not doing too badly.

We do disagree a lot and argue over unimportant things. Case in point: We pull into a parking place and realizing I have plenty of room on my side, I swing the door open wide. He says, "Look out! You're going to hit that other car! Boy, that was close!"

I can't let it go as I answer, "I had plenty of room!" and proceed to show him when he comes around the car. He grumbles "Ok, ok."

As we are walking toward the store, I ask, "Do all old couples squabble like this?"

He answers, "I don't know, but we've been doing it all along."

Then I burst out laughing and he joins in and there are no hard feelings.

That -- laughter -- is one of the keys to our success -- we make each other laugh a lot, even though we always want to be right. For Fathers' Day I gave him a card that had a little plastic credit card inside that gives him one privilige to be "right." It cannot be used in the presence of others and it's only good for one time. I'm waiting for the time when he will pull it out, probably when he knows I'm absolutely correct about something.

We're fair about it when we are wrong, though. We frequently have to say to each other, "You know when you said 'such and such'? Well, you were right."

Another reason we have lasted is that although he is left brained and I am right (there's that word again!), we enjoy intellectual conversations. We took a test once and each one of us found that to be the most appealing trait about the other. That was years ago, but it's still true today.

So that's how the genius and I made it this far, but please, tell me how we'll tolerate each other once he retires!